Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-17
THE METHODISTS.
TIE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE vIR-
GINA CONFERENCE.
One Hundred-and-ffth ssssion-The Dead
Characters neutrality-suspicious.
mittees Appoir ed
lsnecinl telegram to tho pIspatch.l

DANvmLE, VA, November 1G.-The
Virginia Annual Conference OF the Me
thodist Episcopal Church, South, met in
its northumberland fifth session here
to-day, Bishop Joseph S. Key, ID. d., of
Oxford, Ga, presiding. The conference
convened in the Main-Stl ct Methodist
church at 9 o'clock, the Bishop conduct
ing the devotional exercises
Rev. Paul Whitehead, -. D., secreta-
~ Of the last conference, called the roll
The unusual frequency Of the response
Il" lie is dead seemed g. affect deeply
the members, and many eyes were wet
with tears. The following are the dead
Of the last year: =. +. August, W. W
Bennett, L. n. S. Blogg, }. D. Black
well, Il. A. Gregory. John ". Howard,
j. d. Lumsden, f. II. Pritchett 4. A..
Ware, s. II. White, and b. NJ. Williams.
OF the 224 ministers Of the conference
about 200 were present at the opening
session. The attendance OF lay dele
gates is not 80 full as usual.
Rev. Paul Whitehead, ID. d., was
elected secretary, and Rev. p. 4. Peter
son, d. d., and Rev. S. ). Lambeth as
sistants.
Communications were received from
the agent Of TIE Publishing House at
Nashville, the secretary Of the Board OF
Church Extension. and the secretary OF
the Parent Board of Missions
The Book Agent reports the Publish
ing House IN very prosperous cOndl-
mo I -
fiscal wear amounted to S2S2. 1852, an IN
crcosc Of &l9J.573 over the previous
year The net profits were So, 4H3.
The Indebtedness OF the house, which
WIS in 1878 more than $500, 600, has
been reduced to about $1,000 The
total present assets of the house are
above $4,000. and tn receipts OF the
parent Eoird OF Missions for tue last
fiscal yoer were &lGl 49,.
The secretary reports receipts since the
close ol the fiscal year Of Sl4,3O2. special
oU rings DUNG the week of prayer ioT
missions
his board has under its care missions
M China. japan, Brazil, Mexico, among
the lrdMs. among the Germans. and III
tle thiu v-sctt'cd States and Territories
Cd. the >oaih and West.
Committee on Memoirs was appoint.
al and 'hc memorial service WAS made
Grr o.d,r o. the day for Monday next at
80 H.
UaIr Question 20-"Are All tho
Preachers ll3mclc in Their Life ana
OHaal administration - the Bishop
onlcd the names of the presiding elders
i,afd tier reports, and passed tbeli
ch,rtc',re.
lhc reports show extensive revivals in
~ the districts. and it is believed that
the reports OF the pastors viii show a
lrro increase in membership. The
husuciM interests of the Church have
advanced. aud were never in healthier
CON ltion. It is said that the rapid iu
GRACE ia the Church viii necessitat,
,uch subdivisions Of the work as VOL
mako .t oiiiicnlt 20 supply pastors TO all
Tie circuit, aud >tItious.
Gully three preachers applied for adj
mission into tie conference last yer
Iac number applying tms year viz br
largely in Excess Of last year. '1'
viii ha~i,y be- sufficient 20 supply in'
dor.aud. Amongst the applicants i"'
admission to the ranks 81 t.e conference
th,yclr B, Eov. T.. j.. Wilson. n,,if d
prominent lawyer oi Petersburg, '".
Mach of t'.. session fo duy WAS tia''
mp iu appointing Committees.